Players Deal With Surprise

Cox: Return Unlikely With Shula Leaving

DAVIE - — Quarterback Dan Marino said he was shocked Thursday night when he heard Don Shula was stepping down as Dolphins coach.

"I didn't think it was going to happen," Marino said.

Linebacker Bryan Cox said he had gotten over the initial shock when he heard about Shula's decision. "His departure greatly reduces the chances that I'll be back. Right now, I'm not a member of the team. I have no contract."Cox is an unrestricted free agent.

Marino met briefly with Shula on Friday. It was an opportunity, according to Marino, to thank Shula.

"I thought about all the experiences we've had together from the time I came to the Dolphins as a 20-year-old until today," Marino said. "The more I thought about it, the more I realized how proud I am to have played for him."

Shula selected Marino 27th in the first round of the 1983 draft, and the 13-year veteran has become the NFL's all-time leader in every major passing category.

"I've had a great relationship with Coach Shula," Marino said. "Obviously when a quarterback and coach are together for 13 years, there are going to be ups and downs. He really helped my learning process when I was young quarterback. He pressured me to learn the system and prepare myself to play."

"There's been a lot of players through this organization in my 13 years, but there only's been one head coach. I haven't thought much about what it will be like without him. I know there's going to be some changes, but I haven't considered that either. Today, we should take time to reflect on what this man has meant to this organization and this community. He's a legend and a great coach."

Marino said he will remember a pregame ritual with Shula.

"Before each game, we would always shake hands and wish either other good luck," Marino said. "It became sort of a tradition."

Marino said Shula's desire to win and compete was what set him apart from others.

"You could always see it in his eyes," Marino said, "the excitement when he won and sadness and disappointment when he lost. That was certainly one thing he and I had in common."

Cox thanked Shula for always being his corner during his disputes with the NFL and media.

"He allowed me to be myself, and I gave him everything I had on every Sunday," Cox said. "He was loyal to his players and his employees."

Cox blamed players for Shula's frustration throughout the 9-7 season that ended Saturday in a 37-22 loss.

"As coach and general manager, he made the moves that he thought would put this team in the Super Bowl, and we failed him," Cox said. "There's no way he lost control of this team. At times, things that happened on the sideline were misrepresented in the media."